Whitney Lewis Narrows His List

Stacey Dean

11/07/2002

<I>IT</I> caught up with <B>Whitney Lewis</B> for a brief 5-minute phone call. With recruiting services calling every day as well as college coaches who are still hoping to sign Lewis, his mother said to keep it brief, which I did. However, the information learned has to be considered positive for Longhorn fans.

The nation's 13th-ranked prospect overall has whittled his list from a previous top seven to a final six -- still including the Horns. "I've got it down to FSU, Miami, Washington, Texas, Oregon and USC," Lewis said.

TheInsiders' No. 2 rated wideout is a unique specimen combining terrific on-the-field productivity with a very impressive size/speed ratio. Up to 6-foot-2 now, he also weighs 215 pounds with a ridiculous forty time of 4.31. His weight room numbers are equally sick when you consider he gave Inside Texas an updated bench of 325 pounds, a 515-pound squat and a 215-pound power clean.

Getting Lewis in for one of his five officials is a top priority for Duane Akina and Darryl Drake -- the Texas coaches who are currently recruiting California's best wide receiver to The University. And though he doesn't yet have his official visit to the Forty Acres scheduled, the 5-star blue-chip prospect told IT that Texas would definitely get one. He also said any visits would come after the completion of his senior season.

Living in Ventura, California has to make it difficult for a prospect to keep his eyes on the Horns, right? "No, I'm familiar with several of their players," Lewis said. "I have watched some games on TV and have seen Nathan Vasher, Roy Williams, B.J. Johnson, Cedric Benson and Sloan Thomas. Texas has a lot of talent but just hasn't been able to put it together yet."

As far as the future of the Texas football team is concerned, Lewis said, "I had a chance to see Vincent Young when I went down to see my buddy Lorenzo Booker play in the East and West All-Star game, so I've got a chance to see what he's got and he's going to be great player... I mean... he's really going to be an asset to the Longhorns in the future and I've thought a little about what it would be like to play with him, but I'm going to think long and hard about everybody when the season is over."

Many of the rumors surrounding the St. Bonaventure High School prospect have him leaning to Florida State with his friend Lorenzo Booker, but Lewis, doing his best Lee Corso imitation, gave Texas fans something to chew on.

"All of my family lives in Texas and they're very much in it because of that," said Lewis. "When I was little my grandpa used to take me to Texas games. Other than my mom and dad living in California, all of the rest of my family live there. Obviously they're (Texas) going to have a great shot because I'm from Texas, so they're never really going to be out of the hunt...cuz...obivously, Texas is my home state, so..."

Being in the hunt. Making the final six. An almost guaranteed official visit to Austin, providing Mack Brown an opportunity to close the deal. Having a great shot to land one of the most intriguing prospects from California. Can Texas fans really ask for more? Of course they can.